Category Analyst Jobs
Category analysis is a key strategic role, assisting with the profitability of the company by minimising waste and eliminating overstocking and under-ordering. The modern role involves a good deal of computer analysis but also plenty of interpersonal work with suppliers and those at the customer-facing side of the business.
Much of the work will be involved with identifying trends and predicting future events that will influence the needs of the categories under your control, particularly by identifying opportunities and threats. Just as important will be looking into your own past actions and judging whether or not they corrected the problem and if there was improvement, identifying areas where even more efficiency can be introduced into the system.
Regular contact with suppliers will be required as it is they who will ultimately determine whether your plans can be fulfilled. Since they will have their own supply needs, the accuracy and timeliness of your projections will be key to maintaining supply.
The category analyst will also need to keep abreast of new procurement technologies and systems as these might be able to provide long-term efficiencies to the company.
Depending on the size of the employer, the category analyst will report directly to senior management or to intermediated category managers.
The skills required
Superb analysis skills will be required for this role, and although much of the number crunching will be computerised, there’s a strong human element to the role. The category analyst will be required to keep in touch with national and global news and cultural events which could influence future opportunities negatively or positively. You must have the confidence in your results to take action in a timely and effective manner.
Experience of the specific sector in question is usually considered an advantage in category analysis, as some trends might be unknown to outsiders. Good Excel experience will usually be considered essential, and skills in SAP, Oracle and Business Objects are often required.
Category Analyst Jobs in Birkenhead
While Birkenhead has always lived in the shadow of the world-famous port city of Liverpool just across the Mersey, it has a maritime history that is of huge importance to the region and the nation. The town has a history of shipbuilding, and although the industry has had its ups and downs, with particular lows in the 1980s, it seems to be on the up again, with the Cammell Laird shipyard getting back up to speed after collapse and buy-out. The shipyard has an illustrious history, being the birthplace of HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Ark Royal (the 1938 incarnation) and RMS Mauretania to name but a few. The famous Mersey ferry (actually three boats) sails from Birkenhead to Liverpool daily.
Although the town of Birkenhead is home to just over 80,000 people, it forms part of a sprawling conurbation along the east of the Wirral Peninsula that takes in New Brighton, Bebington, Wallasey and, of course, Tranmere. Taken together, the population is well over 300,000, the size of a small city.
Luckily, the ferry isn’t the only way across the Mersey. Two road tunnels and a rail tunnel connect Birkenhead to Liverpool, which in combination with the M53 running up the spine of the Wirral, make it a particularly well connected town. This large population and the re-emerging shipyard make Birkenhead a good place to look for Category Analyst jobs in the North West of England.
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Discover category analyst opportunities with Cast UK
Cast UK are dedicated to filling roles in the procurement sector, so whether you are looking for promotion or moving home or just feel the need to try something different, please give us a call.
Because of the calibre of talent we provide, employers consider us a vital part in their recruitment process. Many employers trust us to provide a shortlist for interview, saving them time and money and ensuring the candidates we suggest are best suited to the roles.
We are always welcoming new candidates, so do get in touch and get yourself on our books, even if you’re not looking for work right now; you never know what opportunities will arise in the near future!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Category Analyst for your business or find you a job as a Category Analyst then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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